United have spent more than £250million on new players since the Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2014, including the headline purchases of Angel di Maria, Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Red alert: Rooney is set to miss the Wolfsburg match with an ankle injury

Van Gaal’s side will travel to Germany for Tuesday’s pivotal clash without possibly eight first-teamers, including skipper Wayne Rooney, who has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Morgan Schneiderlin (hip) and Paddy McNair (ankle) joined the casualty list when they sustained injuries against West Ham on Saturday.